Ultrasound Guided Injections

FAQs on Ultrasound Guided Injections

Ultrasound guided injections have been widely used as an effective tool for musculoskeletal pain management in recent years. With greater accuracy and safety, these injections are used both as diagnostic and treatment purpose.

What are conditions treated with ultrasound guided injections?

Ultrasound guided injections are considered an effective method to treat painful musculoskeletal symptoms. However, the procedure has also showed its effectiveness in relieving nerve impingement and inflammation of tendons, bones, and deep tissues. The following is a list of medical conditions currently treated with ultrasound guided injections.

Plantar fasciitis pain in the heel caused by injured and inflamed ligament arch underside the foot

Achilles tendinitis pain due to inflammation or injury to the tendon connecting calf to heel

Rotator cuff injury

Trochanteric bursitis leading to hip pain

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder bursitis due to inflammation of the bursa and consequent pain and disability

Shoulder tendon tear or tendinitis

Frozen shoulder

Golfer’ elbow (medial epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Tendinopathy impacting the kneecap

Muscular and adductor tendon injury

Carpal tunnel syndrome impacting the wrist

Osteitis pubis causing abdominal and pelvic pain due to inflammation in pubic symphysis

Inflammatory or degenerative arthritis in knee, shoulder, and hip joints

Ligament disorders in joints

Neck pain

Chronic headaches

Back pain and sciatica

Cancer-related Pain

Peripheral vascular Pain

Nerve injury

What is an ultrasound guided injection?

An ultrasound guided injection combines the advantages of both ultrasound procedure and medication injection. Ultrasound guided injections ensure the most accurate and precise delivery. The procedure is widely used to treat painful musculoskeletal conditions associated with arthritis, sports injuries, nerve injury, and degenerative disorders.

Ultrasound provides real-time imaging of abnormalities in nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, and other body parts without exposing patients to radiation. Once the injury is identified, a needle is introduced precisely to the injured spot guided by real-time images. The procedure allows targeting deeper, smaller, and tougher pain spots that were not possible previously and inject medications precisely and effectively without injuring adjacent nerves, blood vessels, and other structures.

The greater accuracy of ultrasound guided injections, especially during Platelet Rich Plasma administration and steroid pain management, have become a viable alternative to surgery to relieve tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, inflammation, and other types of musculoskeletal pain.

The procedure saves Colorado pain management doctors from administering high-value injection shots blindly to an area of inflammation. They are now able to see pathways and inject medication directly to the ideal spot in the most optimal manner. This also assures the most effective treatment.

Why should I go for ultrasound guided injections?

A viable alternative to surgery as far as many painful conditions are concerned

No blind injection and greater accuracy in injecting medications

Saves patients from radiation

Used as both diagnostic and treatment methods

Improved quality of injections and assured effectiveness

Higher precision ensures reduced risk of complications

Best to treat musculoskeletal pain without harming surrounding tissues

Minimally invasive and fast recovery

Injection access to deeper, smaller, and tougher areas in the body

What are the different types of ultrasound guided injections?

There are different types of ultrasound guided injections used by doctors. These injections contain medications based on the condition to be treated and administered directly to the area of pain.

Cortisone shots, a type of steroid injection used to relieve pain and inflammation

Mixture of steroid and a local anesthetic to provide semi-permanent pain relief

Anesthetic shots or numbing injections used for nerve blocks and pain relief

Platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections used for prolotherapy or regenerative medication

Lubrication injections for joints containing Hyaluronic Acid and similar elements

Pain medication directly administered to the injured bone or tissue

How is an ultrasound guided injection administered?

The skin above the injured or pain spot is numbed using a local anesthesia. Needle and syringe are similar to those used in case of traditional injections. The ultrasound pod is pressed on the numbed skin to visualize muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, and soft tissues beneath.

Real-time image generated on the ultrasound monitor helps guide the path of the injection and access the exact location. During nerve blocks, a dye is injected prior to medication to double-check placement and ensure that the needle has reached the intended target.

How long does it take?

The injection procedure takes less than 30 minutes. However, it takes days or weeks before patients experience significant pain relief. Nerve blocks and corticosteroids start acting after two to three days. For prolotherapy, viscosupplementation and stem cell therapy, the impact is felt after a few days to a few weeks.

Do I need rest after ultrasound guided injections?

No. This is an outpatient procedure and very similar to traditional injections except the use of ultrasound and local anesthetic. You can go home as soon as the injection procedure is over. For nerve blocks, you can take rest for a day. Report to your doctor if there is any complication.

Steroid injections have cortisone or other steroids alone or mixed with a local anesthetic

Numbing or blocking injections have only local anesthetics, such as lidocaine.

Prolotherapy injections have platelet rich plasma or stem cells

Lubrication injections have viscosupplements, such as Hyaluronic Acid

What are the side effects of ultrasound guided injections?

Injection site infection, inflammation, or irritation is common after ultrasound guided injections. Error by doctors may result in bruising and bleeding. Temporary soreness, pain, and fever may impact for a few days. Many patients are allergic to certain medications and steroids and doctors must take notice of it.